Drug and Alcohol Detox

Some people are apprehensive about entering an addiction rehab program because they’re fearful of detox. Rest assured that Promises medical team provides alcohol and drug detox that’s safe and as comfortable as possible. Here, you’ll undergo medical detox that’s both compassionate and effective. Our drug detox centers and inpatient treatment programs are set in soothing, home-like environments. After you complete medical detoxification, you’ll take part in residential rehab that’s truly life-changing.

What Is Drug and Alcohol Detox Like?

We understand entering drug rehab is stressful. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Promises inpatient rehabs start with drug detox, if needed. Then you’ll continue with substance abuse treatment. During medical detox, we manage the physical changes that happen after repeated drug use. We also provide the highest level of comfort and support. Our mental health professionals use evidence-based medications and alternative therapies.

Here’s what you can expect during the alcohol and drug detox process:

Comprehensive Assessments by a Medical Team

Your treatment team will administer physical exams and psychological assessments. These helps us determine the most effective drug detox approaches based on your:

Drug(s) of abuse

Medical history

Health issues

Individual needs

Co-occurring disorders

Alcohol and Drug Detox Tailored to You

Like the rest of the addiction treatment experience at Promises, drug detox is tailored to your needs. Your treatment plan in medically assisted detox considers the type and severity of your addiction.

Some people may not be able to benefit from starting treatment while in drug and alcohol detox. We don’t require you to take part in structured groups or other programming. But if you’re ready to begin substance abuse treatment, you can attend groups and therapy sessions during Promises’ detox program.

Round-the-Clock Care

Promises medical team monitors you around the clock. We check vital signs and make sure you’re feeling comfortable and cared for. We’ll be there to promptly attend to discomfort from drug withdrawal symptoms.

Medications to Ease the Withdrawal Process

Promises’ medical professionals may prescribe research-backed medications as clinically appropriate. These medications ease psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms. Taming drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms is an important part of relapse prevention. Many people who try to detox on their own never make it to inpatient rehab. They relapse. Without medical assistance, painful withdrawal symptoms drive them to drink or use drugs before completing the process.

Alternative Approaches

Some of our drug detox programs use alternative approaches to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the Promises treatment center, these may include therapeutic massage or acupuncture.

How Long Does Drug Detox Take?

Medical detox typically takes 2-7 days, depending on the drug and individual. For some substances, lingering effects of withdrawal syndrome may continue for weeks to several months. This may include anxiety, depression, insomnia and cravings.

The time it takes to detox depends on:

The drug(s) abused

How long you’ve been abusing substances

How much of a drug you’ve been abusing

Your physical and mental health

While drug detox is different for everyone, general timelines for commonly abused drugs include:

Alcohol Detox

People with alcohol use disorders may begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms about six hours after their last drink. When a substance abuser stops drinking, alcohol detox occurs in three phases:

1-3 days after last drink – This is the first and most dangerous phase of alcohol withdrawal. Your body tries to reestablish normal functioning without alcohol. Without medical treatment and alcohol rehab, you’re at high risk for:

Seizures

Delirium tremens (DTS)

Dehydration

Heart palpitations

Other severe symptoms

5-7 days after last drink – Alcohol withdrawal symptoms lessen in intensity. Dangerous withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens are usually over. You may still have anxiety, insomnia and gastrointestinal problems. You will probably feel well enough to attend alcohol treatment at this point.

Weeks to months after last drink – You may continue to experience mild anxiety, lethargy and other psychological symptoms. Your brain continues to rebalance and your body mends from the damage of alcohol abuse.

Opiate Detox

Opioid withdrawal syndrome typically begins within one day if you’ve been abusing opiates. The first 72 hours of opioid detox are usually the most difficult. Opiate drug withdrawal symptoms include:

Elevated heart rate

Muscle and bone aches

Vomiting

Chills

Stomach cramps

Intense cravings

Typically these symptoms subside by day three to five. Lingering symptoms may include fatigue, chills and muscle soreness. Psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety may last for several weeks or months.

Benzo Detox

The first three days of benzo drug withdrawal can be the toughest. Without medical treatment you may experience:

Psychotic episodes

Heart palpitations

Panic attacks

Seizures

Less intense benzo withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and anxiety get less severe over several months.

Stimulant Detox

The length of stimulant withdrawal depends on the type of stimulant. It also depends on how fast-acting the stimulant is. Usually you’ll experience a “crash” within a day or two of the last dose. During this time, methamphetamines and cocaine can bring about physical and psychological complications. Withdrawal symptoms range from paranoia and depression to tremors and aches. Sleep issues as well as depression or anxiety may linger for several weeks.

Can I Detox at Home?

Self-detox or going “cold turkey” is when people quit using drugs or alcohol without medically assisted care. Medical professionals can ease drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms with pain management medications. We make sure drug detox is safe. While the intentions of self-detox are positive, the outcomes are often not. Many people who self-detox turn to drug or alcohol detox centers after failed attempts to “go it alone.” Others will have such a negative self-detox experience that they fall back into their addiction. Some may even have fatal outcomes.

Drug and alcohol detox at home comes with many risks. If conducted improperly or without medical supervision, drug and alcohol withdrawal can be painful. It can even be life-threatening in certain cases. The discomfort of withdrawal is one reason people relapse or delay treatment. Self-detox does not provide the support needed to maintain sobriety.

Drug and alcohol detox is only the first step in recovery. The most effective medical detox centers provide 24/7 medical care. They also use research-backed medications to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

At Promises Treatment Centers, nearly all of our clients complete medical detoxification. Then they move forward with their drug and alcohol rehab program. That’s because we use evidence-based approaches to make detox as gentle and comfortable as possible. You’re in good hands with our compassionate, trained medical professionals.

What Happens After Drug and Alcohol Detox?

Medical detox is an important step in sobriety, but it’s not the last. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes detox as the first stage of alcohol and drug treatment. Detox should be followed by drug addiction treatment. Removing drugs and alcohol from your body doesn’t address the reasons you abuse substances. Detox only begins to touch on the mental and emotional issues that fuel drug abuse.

Inpatient drug rehab provides a safe place to focus on getting better. After a safe and comfortable detox, Promises treatment team will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and preferences. Treatment plans may include treatment options like:

Individual Therapy

One-on one counseling with a trained therapist helps you dig deep into the underlying reasons that fuel substance use disorders and mental health issues. Our counselors draw on evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and motivational interviewing.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is an important part of alcohol and drug treatment. You’ll connect with others who can relate to what you’re going through. Peers who’ve “been there” may offer new solutions to your problems — and you’ll do the same. Guided by a group leader, you’ll learn healthy communication skills and gain new insights into yourself and your interactions with others.

Family Therapy

Loved ones take part in addiction treatment and rehab as appropriate. We offer family therapy and family programs that help loved ones repair relationships. You’ll learn how to best support each other and move forward with healthier communication.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many people that struggle with substance abuse and addiction have underlying mental health issues. We offer expert psychiatric care to address co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. We’ll prescribe non-addictive medications as appropriate.

Relapse Prevention

You’ll learn coping skills to help you stay sober when you leave Promises’ rehab centers. You’ll also engage in sober activities to learn to have fun without the effects of drugs or alcohol.

Aftercare Planning

Treating alcohol and drug addiction continues once you leave inpatient rehab. Some of our addiction centers offer long-term aftercare programs. All of our residential rehabs provide aftercare planning so you have resources in place to help you succeed in sobriety. Aftercare planning might include:

Appointments with therapists and psychiatrists

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other 12-step programs

Alternatives to 12-step programs like Rescue Recovery and SMART Recovery support groups

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol and Drug Treatment?

Alcohol and drug treatment may be more affordable than you think. Many insurance plans include a behavioral health care component that extends benefits for time in drug detox centers, inpatient addiction centers or outpatient rehab. Drug rehab insurance benefits may cover all or a large percentage of your costs.

Promises is in network with several insurance providers. We also accept out-of-network insurance plans. Call Promises today for a free insurance coverage check; 844-876-5568. We’ll work directly with your insurance provider to determine what substance abuse and mental health services you’re eligible for.

Take the First Step to a Better Life

You aren’t expected to have a clear plan for how to get from where you are now to where you want to be. You may not feel ready to give up drugs and alcohol. You may not know what’s next for you after a drug detox program. That’s why we’re here – to guide you along the road to recovery, one step at a time. Call Promises treatment centers today. We can help.

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